Dames Aldan, the land of the riches. In the central square of the city, there were now four non-belongers (macabre).
　One of them is Rana, and the remaining three are the three dwarfs.

What do you plan to do about it, Rana?　"I'll leave it to you to find out how it's done," said Master Ankh, "but...

　Tom asks. The method is up to Lana.

'What do you say we take this mask off? -- and next to him, Dean had taken half a white death mask and was peeking out a dwarf's one red eye and black beard.

'Don't do it,'

　But Rana immediately denies it.

'This is a human country. It's best not to expose your true face. I don't need to see my ears and skin color to know how they will react when they see my ears and skin color. You dwarfs in particular are an existence that is hated by humans. Even though times have changed a lot, we shouldn't do anything poorly. Deep-rooted discrimination is prevalent in these stinky countries that claim to be at peace. I don't know where and what kind of people are watching.

　Then Lana's words made Dean's mood a little darker, "Yes," he said, but he put his mask back on as if he was convinced.

'Let's keep it that way. Unfortunately, my brethren have already infiltrated this place for charity as well. Perhaps Master Amadeus expected this to happen.

　The three of them were surprised by Rana's explanation. 'The quintessential Ankh-sama! And they looked at the Lord with respect.

'But the way to do it is up to me. This time we'll do it alone. To be honest, it's easier to work with a few. Four will be enough.

So what do you do?

　Then Sam asks in awe.

“--a speech!

　Rana answered immediately again, but the three of them tilted their heads simultaneously as if in sync.

'The brief information about the country has been passed on to Amadeus-sama and then to me from those who were hiding out earlier. And it's not as if I know nothing about the country either. Perhaps we can have some influence in this way.

'I see.......a speech. So what exactly is it about?

　Then Rana smiled thinly under her mask at Sam's question.

'My target is Prince Kristoff's prefect. From what I've heard, the prince had set up a certain small organization in this town. Well, it's just a bunch of hoodlums, to say the least. But even though the prince usually embarrassed his father by doing stupid things, it seems that he was trusted by the members of this organization and was well-liked. I guess that's half the blood in my veins.

So you're trying to lure this prefect or whatever it is you do?

　Tom asks in a tone of voice as if he is beginning to understand something.

'Yeah, a lot of people are complaining about the prince as a "stupid son" behind his back. What's the point of appealing to those people?　Besides, I hear that the organization is surprisingly large. If one or two people are hooked up, it should have some effect. Besides, it's been several days since the prince was killed and disappeared. There's probably a lot of turmoil in the organization. And then we appear and shout, "Feng Wang killed my son?

　At those words, the three dwarfs looked at each other excitedly.

'Then let's get right to it. The three dwarfs looked at each other excitedly and said to each other, "Now let's get right to it. I'll take you up on your offer. I'll take him at his word.

　Rana and the three of them then leaned forward to the speech stand that was set up in the central square.

　It's a place that's usually set up and is free for the people to use, for example, a certain shop owner uses it for publicity.
　Even on the day that the adventurers Nito and Dames Aldan, who had become great mages, had formed an alliance, a messenger had reported to the people here. This place is used by many different kinds of people as such a free thing.

　Then he went up to the platform, and as the passers-by glanced at him, Rana said, "I am the free one.

I am of the lineage of the Beneficent, the servant of the God of Life, Ankh Amadeus, and I do not belong to him, Lana A. (Ankh) Spellman.

　At that word, some passed by, while others stopped to wonder if they were of the recently rumored lineage of the Charity.

'I have come here today to tell you all something. I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of something that has come to my attention. It is of great importance to the survival of this country!

　"The existence of the country is at stake.......I don't know if those words are the point or not. But gradually people gathered, and I noticed that there were a large number of people there.
　At the sight of them, the three people standing next to Rana whispered, "Oh! And he watched the scene with excitement.
　He also showed respect for Rana as he continued his speech.

'First of all, let me ask you all a few questions. Have you all seen Prince Christoph in the last few days?　I have been told that the prince goes out a lot, and despite his position as a prince, he is equally at home in the city with all the people.

　But in reality, Prince Kristoff had only appeared in town to repeatedly threaten the safety and peace of the people through extortion and coercive bribery. Most of those gathered here were even puffing their hearts out of relief at the prince, who hadn't been seen in recent times.
　But when Rana uttered the prince's name, the expressions of the gathered people slowly began to crumble, as if the peace that had been held for a short while was broken.

''I haven't seen you here lately~''

　"I haven't seen it." --and then the same voice came back.

'I see..... But that's not unreasonable.

　The dwarfs beside him would not have expected so many to gather at Rana's words. But maybe Amadeus knew. That's why he chose Rana.

　So why did Amadeus understand?
　It seems to have something to do with Rana's ethnicity.
　But her true face is still hidden underneath that white death mask and is not visible.

''Because Prince Christoph-sama was killed by his father, Feng King Schneizel-sama!

　Forcefully, Rana said.
　And then I noticed that I began to see a glimmer in the crowd, a group of people who looked like they were wearing black vintage jackets with a very bad vibe.
　Perhaps they were members of the organization the prince had inaugurated.
　Just as Rana had intended, they had fallen for it.

''Killed...?''

　That's what the people at the front of the line said. No, that guy is wearing a black bondage jacket.
　And on his chest is a picture of the organization's symbol and Lemark, the national flag of Dames Aldan, crushing it with his left hand in a most wildly staged manner.

'I've heard that King Feng has been troubled by Prince Christophe's repeated scandals for some time now?　And a few days ago, that day came. At the moment, King Toyo was away from his country due to reports that the kingdom of Pascantine had been attacked by an unknown assailant, but behind the scenes a plan to assassinate the prince must have been in motion. A few hours after his departure, Prince Christophe was found bleeding in the throne room. He was a miserable sight to behold. We are told that the man who found him was the Golden Knight Master Leonardo.

　The crowd began to buzz at Rana's words. But each of those in bondage kept their mouths shut.

'We are not certain of the truth. I can only tell you that it is so from my own mouth. I have gone to the castle to find out if the prince is alive and well. But the guards would not listen to the words of a poor man like me, and they refused to answer the door. But the guards would not listen to us, and they refused to listen to us.　One glimpse of Master Kristoff will allay this suspicion.

　Then a few knights in the service of the country appeared.

'There you are, white robed one!　Get down from there now!

　Tension builds among the people gathered in the square as the knight suddenly appears to interrupt the speech.

'Why!　I just want to know the truth from a pure question!　That's right!　Then I'll ask you directly!　Could you bring Mr. Kristoff to me?　Wouldn't that be easy for Mr. Christophe, who walks around town as if it were his own garden?　They probably won't even refuse you!

　Is it because the audience is starting to buzz and the developments are heating up?
　Rana's tone gradually changed to a coarse one.

　Just then, Tom, who was beside her, pointed some kind of deliberate yapping at the knight.

''Ah!　No way, you guys!　I didn't want the truth to get out!　That's why you're here to stop us!　It's not fair!

　There's some emotion in it, but it's a barbed, deliberate performance.
　Next to them, Sam and Dean are facing each other with their hands fluttering in some kind of way.
　Then, oddly enough, as soon as their hands begin to move, the knight's mouths and expressions seem to move as well. But no one notices it.
　Rana begins to notice the situation, albeit vaguely, and when she does, Tom murmurs a small 'match'.

''So that's how it is.''

　And Rana continued her speech as if she was convinced.

'No way!　That's right!　What a vile ... I mean, that's what I mean!　The prince....

　It would be far better than Tom's stinking performance. The evidence of this was evident from the crowd as well.

'Get Master Kristoff out of here!

Where did you send Master Kristoff?

Let them go now!

　But all of them were dressed in bondage - by Kristoff's compatriots.

　But as for Lana, this was exactly what she wanted.
　Then, overwhelmed by the vibrancy and heat, the knights flee the square in fear.
　I don't know what kind of magic it was, but it was probably something Sam and Dean did.
　The few knights who had escaped had vanished quietly and quietly from the scene, leaving nothing behind, as if it were an illusion, by the time they turned the second bend.

''Let me go!''

Bring out our Lady Kristoff!

Everybody!　Let's storm the castle!

　The plaza was filled with the Prince's furious compatriots, and their numbers increased with the passage of time.
　Fueled by Rana's words and the dwarfs' direction, the focus was on Kristoff's "apparent captivity" in the castle.
　I don't know where the conversation switched, but it was probably out of the hope that he would live.
　Rana would have said "killed," but it had changed to "confinement.


　A few hours later, after the sun had set, the members of the organization that Prince Christophe had launched - the Gateral, more than a thousand people in all, had gathered at the main gate of the castle.

　In other words, Rana's plan - Amadeus' plan - had succeeded.

　But there was one aspect of it that seemed puzzling.
　It's simple. It is that they have not too readily accepted the story of the Jishi's bloodline too readily.
　But there is no one among them to guide them in their actions from behind the scenes.

　Before he was killed by Masamune in the throne room, as he was on that day, Prince Christophe was a frequent visitor to the organization.
　For Christophe, who had no place in the castle, he felt more at home in a place where he could talk with others who recognized him and who recognized him.
　But from that day on, Christophe was lost. No word from him.

　In the days leading up to the present day, the members of the Gateral had been searching for Christophe.
　They searched all over the country and, of course, went to the royal castle.
　But no one in the castle, including the guards, were willing to listen to the words of such insolent people.
　After that, all of us had to look for places where Christophe might stop by to see if we could find him.
　But the more they searched, the more they wondered if something had happened to Christophe. The suspicion that "I'm not going to be able to do this" has only deepened, and Christophe is nowhere to be found.
　And just when all else was running out, the bloodline of the Jishi appeared.

　--Prince Christophe-sama was killed by King Feng.

　They were exhausted from their search, but those words were easy to accept.
　If you think of it that way, it all makes sense.
　Besides, they were all gathered together because they were attracted to Christophe's will in the first place.
　In other words, they don't have a good impression of the royalists from the beginning.
　That's why they're gathering in front of the main gate right now.

　--That's why they're gathering at the front gate to rescue the prince.

All right, boys!　Kristoff is the family that accepted shitty things like us with a smile!　And such a family is apparently being held captive... me!　Today, I'm risking my life!　I'll get Christophe out of there!　I'm not asking you to put your life on the line because he's probably not going to be happy about it.

　Such a one must have had a heart. A heart of compassion.

　His name was Karius. Kristoff's right hand man and first friend.
　That's where this organization began. The organization was launched with one trivial word from Karius.

'Perhaps Schneizel is not home. "Perhaps Schneizel is not at home, so we will take advantage of the opportunity. I will rescue Christophe and take over the castle. I won't allow this to happen!　Guys!　Take up arms!

　Following his voice, the assembled bondmen raised their swords, axes, spears and torches in unison.

'War we will surely rescue and bring back Kristoff!　Let's go!

　As if answering Karius's command, the air trembled with the tremendous voices of a thousand people, full of heat and anger.

　Then they smashed through the main gate and the group ran up the towering grand staircase.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I think it's a good idea.

I'm not going to be the only one.

　Following Karius' instructions, each of them did their part - stranded.
　Karius said that when he risked his life. It seemed to be the will of Karius alone, but that was not the case.

　Each of them had grown up in different environments and had their own problems in this Dames Aldan, called the Peaceful Powers.
　They were tired of life and depressed by their surroundings. Christoph rescued them by inviting them to join the organization.
　It's not just Karius. Everyone had been saved by Christophe.
　So they came here to share their wills. So they could risk their lives.

"Mr. Karius!　Go ahead!　We'll hold them back here!

　A lone young man is holding back a guard clad in silver plate armor. He was still very young from his appearance.

　Just then, the door of the royal castle opened and a group of knights in gold armor appeared from there.

''The gold knights are here!''

　--Golden Knight. It is a symbol of peace in the land of plenty. Its golden glow reaches all the people and tells them that they are at peace.
　But now they want to kill those who are supposed to be part of the people.

Take a stand!

　Then, as soon as the door opened, he saw several knights who were ready to deploy a magic circle.

''Let go!''

　With that order, countless lumps of fire were released from inside the castle.
　When they struck the gaterals, they ignited, causing damage to the surroundings.

''Gyaaahhhh!

　Those who are swallowed by the fire and thrash about, screaming and yelling. I can see more than one such person.

'Take a stand!　Let go!

　A large number of fireballs were also released. They attacked Gaterals relentlessly, making sure to catch them and drive them to their doom.

''d*mn it!''

　Then the young man who was supposed to be stopping another guard could be seen running towards the golden knight inside the royal castle.
　Karius could see the figure as well, but when he tried to stop it by saying "wait", the figure had already disappeared.

　--it had been burned to death.

　The moment he stepped through the door that was left open and stepped inside the royal castle, the young man was engulfed by flames that seemed to erupt from within, turning his figure into ashes.
　It only took a moment.

''Water Flow Barrier (Aqua Valiente)!

　At that moment, a film of water flowing from the gaterals' side, enough to easily cover those near the entrance, passed over the gaterals' heads like a bridge, and radiated out.
　It gradually moved into the castle as it built a wall of water between the golden knights and the gaterals inside the castle, and before they knew it, several gaterals had succeeded in getting into the castle.

　But what was waiting for them was a horde of golden knights peeking out from the first and second floors of the entrance hall.
　The moment you set foot inside, you're surrounded by them, and it seems like there's no room for them to even escape.

　But at that time, the water barrier made its move.
　The water stream that appeared to block the Golden Knight's flames and approach suddenly transformed into a single mass and left the ground.
　It surfaced as it was and reached the vicinity of the second floor, where it splashed around with a loud explosion sound.

'Now!　Go!

　An opening was created in that moment, and with a shout heard from behind Karius, a large number of <> invaded the castle.
　And right after that, the Golden Knight and the Gaterals began their respective battles.

''Karius-san, please go ahead and say it. We'll take care of this place. Please rescue Christophe-san. Maybe he's locked up in a prison cell.

I'm sorry, I'm cutting you off. But we will make our way to the throne room first. The Ciarro's bloodline tells me that Kristoff was murdered in the throne room.

　They hadn't lost sight of it. The words have reached them well.
　Everyone understands. You must expect the worst.

I understand. I'll leave the rest to you.

Yeah.

　And then Karius, his short black hair swinging slightly, took off his bonnet jacket into the corridor and sashayed away, clutching his sword in his right hand.

　And then........at the end of that uselessly long and wide grand corridor, there was the door.
　Karius caught his breath and opened the door with caution.
　--the throne room.
　But for some reason it was dark and quiet there, and the air was subdued.

　And as soon as he stepped in, Karius could see a certain someone in front of him. No, he was there from the beginning.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

　But Karius seemed to know before he entered. I'm sure he sensed the magical power.

''You ... are ... the Golden Knight Captain, Leonardo Fales.

　A slender knight in golden armor. In his right hand, a well-trained knight chief's sword is visible.

"You are Karius Geselhain. A friend of Master Kristoff's...

　His tone is unsteady. And his expression is dark.
　That always cheerful Leonardo is standing there as if he is unusually deflated with such an expression.

　The two men faced each other, facing each other for a while.

　Then Karius was placed behind Leonardo, in front of his throne... probably a coffin.
　He noticed it, and as he did so, his expression gradually changed to that of one who was upset.

'Wait ... what, are you kidding me?'

　He chuckled at the upset. Not knowing what kind of expression to make and what to say, Karius let out a smile that was the opposite of his heart.

Well Master Kristoff is dead.

... what?

　Karius tilted his head in a delayed reaction to Leonardo's calm answer.
　But the look on his face already showed understanding.

　Christoph .......................that his friend was dead.